Jori Lehtera’s role in HIFK is a topic of discussion – Ismo Lehkonen: “No benefit at all”
HIFK is starting the Liiga season on Tuesday, aiming to improve the historically weakest regular season position of the traditional club.
Olli Jokinen has finally got a team that reflects his vision for his second season as head coach of HIFK.
According to hockey expert Ismo Lehkos, there is still at least one high-profile star in the roster who does not seem to fit into Jokinen’s style of play.
– Jori Lehterä should be the team’s QB (quarterback) in American football terms, and if Lehterä’s chemistry and the way IFK plays clash, with him constantly at odds with Olli Jokinen, then that won’t lead to anything good, Lehkos predicts in his Kalju Corner podcast.
The 38-year-old veteran center, known for his slow skating throughout his career, according to Lehkos, does not fit into Jokinen’s preferred “hunting dog hockey” in any way.
– If 8-9 out of ten breakout plays from your own zone are dump-ins, is Lehterä the kind of player who chases pucks there? Not necessarily, that’s of no benefit.
– Players of that style, if we dump the puck from the red line into the zone, then with Jori’s legs, that’s pretty much a waste of time, Lehkos sees.
– What kind of body language will Lehterä have then? The playing style should be such that it is exciting and that the players get fired up to play it, the expert summarizes.
For HIFK, the Liiga season will kick off only on Friday when the team faces HPK at home.
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